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There was a boy named Santiago. He lives in a small Andalusian town. There is a girl he likes. She is the daughter of a merchant. He always thinks about interesting topics he wants to talk about with her, but at the same time, he is worried if she won't remember him.

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Role of Literary Device in Alchemist & Symbolism  with other literary devices

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Role of Literary Device in Alchemist & Symbolism  with other literary devices

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Every literature we have read uses unique literary technics and devices to develop the story as the writer intended. Those are also efficient tools to attract readers.
In The Alchemist, the author uses symbolism to reveal the process of adventure toward his dream and gives the meaning of the journey. For example, levanter symbolizes freedom which Santiago desired. "Before the boy could reply, a butterfly appeared and fluttered between him and the old man. He remembered something his grandfather had once told him: that butterflies were a good omen." (Coelho, 30). In this quote, the butterflies represent the change of Santiago.  Analogous to caterpillars in the cocoon, he strongly desires to pursue his dream, but the circumstance does not allow him to go. He wants to become a butterfly to gain freedom for his dream. The butterfly is also worth as a foreshadowing. Readers now know how Santiago will internally grow up. "It had brought with it the sweat and the dreams of men who had once left to search for the unknown, and for gold and adventure—and for the Pyramids." ( Coelho, 29). In this plot, gold symbolizes the value of his dream. Such as gold is time, gold is typically used as a metaphor for valuable things. The desert typifies a mysterious and unknown place. It is an unrealistic place for people who have no spare time to go. Santiago is also listed in this circumstance because he is not rich enough to enjoy the adventure. It conveys how his dream is unrealistic. "There are thousands of kilometers of desert between here and there. " (Coelho, 48). In the story, the sheep are repeatedly personified with the author's intention. For example, "If I became a monster today, and decided to kill them, one by one, they would become aware only after most of the flock had been slaughtered, thought the boy. They trust me, and they’ve forgotten how to rely on their own instincts, because I lead them to nourishment. "(Coelho, 7). It is an example of metaphor, personification, and symbolism. The author sets sheep standing for people who are afraid of change and prefer to adapt to their environment instead of self-development. "I don’t like people to do that, because the sheep are afraid of strangers. But children always seem to be able to play with them without frightening them." (Coelho, 13). This sentence is a considerable example of the author's intention. The author describes change is even children can always do, but some adults can't do it. The reason why the author compares sheep and children is to give people shame who are frightened to change.

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One day, he tells his father that he wants to become a priest and travel. His father tells him that the only ones who travel are the shepherds. So, Santiago decides to become the shepherd. He had fun being a shepherd. Sheep was his friend, and he believed that they understand each other.

Santiago from 'The Alchemist

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While he is traveling, he meets an old woman who interprets dreams. "Dreams are the language of God." (Coelho, 13)
Santiago tells the woman about his dream (which he had dream twice), that a child appeared and began playing with the animals, and all of a sudden transported him into the Egyptian pyramids. Then, he said that the child said that he will be able to find a hidden treasure there.
The woman decided to get charged with one-tenth of the treasure if Santiago finds them, instead of getting charged right away. She tells him that he must go find the Pyramids in Egypt.

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When Santiago was reading a book, an old man sat down at his side and started a conversation. However, Santiago at first was just annoyed by the man and decided to just act respectfully.
As they were talking along, Santiago was surprised about the old man's knowledge. He asks the old man about the book. "It describes people's inability to choose their own Personal Legends. And it ends up saying that everyone believes the world's greatest lie. At a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what's happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. That's the world's greatest lie." (Coelho, 18)

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The old man, soon, told Santiago that his name is Melchizedek, and that is the King of Salem.
"You have succeeded in discovering your Personal Legend. It's what you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is." (Coelho, 21-22) "People are not afraid to dream when they are young, but as time passes, a mysterious force begins to convince them that it will be impossible for them to realize their Personal Legend." (Coelho, 22) Santiago asked the King if he should keep traveling or stay for the girl he likes. The King said, "To realize one's Personal Legend is a person's only real obligation. All things are one. When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." (Coelho, 22-23) Then, Santiago decided to trade one-tenth of his sheep with how to find the hidden treasure.

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"The treasure is in Egypt, near the Pyramids. In order to find the treasure, you will have to follow the omens. God has prepared a path for everyone to follow. You just have to read the omens that he left for you" (Coelho, 30)
Then, the King gave Santiago a white stone (which stands for no) and a black stone (which stands for yes). They were called Urim and Thummim, and the King told Santiago that they will help him to read the omens when he is unable to do so. "Always ask an objective question. But, if you can, try to make your own decisions. The treasure is at the Pyramids. Don’t forget that everything you deal with is only one thing and nothing else. And don’t forget the language of omens. And, above all, don’t forget to follow your Personal Legend through to its conclusion" (Coelho, 31)

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Santiago arrives in Africa. There, he meets a friend who can speak Spanish. Santiago trusted him, but he was a thief. Santiago was scammed, and there was nothing he could do in this unfamiliar land. He was depressed, but as he thought about Urim and Thummim, he decided to continue his journal.
And there, Santiago learned many things. He could understand what people were saying without actually speaking the language. 'There must be a language that doesn't depend on words, the boy thought. I've already had that experience with my seep, and now it's happening with people.' (Coelho, 45) And he also realized 'If I can learn to understand this language without words, I can learn to understand the world.' (Coelho, 45)

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In the story, dreams serve as a tool to connect with one’s inner aspirations. The boy strives to achieve his dream of traveling around the world to follow his personal legend. He believed that having a dream come true would make life more interesting. During his trip from village to village, he meets Tarifa, who interprets dreams. “And dreams are the language of god” (Coelho, 13) Through the journey, his dreams direct him to the Egyptian Pyramids, a place where the treasure is hidden.

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"And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” (Coelho, 23). The author repeatedly reveals the similar meaning of sentences, but the story exhibits the opposite. Even if Santiago desires to get treasure through adventure, several obstacles interrupt his decision to start. The author desiderates people to realize even if the whole universe conspires in helping people to achieve it, still they need effort. “Chance favors only the prepared mind.”(Louis Pasteur).

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Teniers II, D. An Alchemist in his Workshop, XVII Century. https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/01/science/01alch.html 

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Santiago stopped in front of a shop, where they sell crystals. Santiago went inside and asked the merchant for some food in exchange for cleaning his window. After they had lunch, Santiago tells the merchant that he wants to work here for money to get to Egypt. However, the merchant tells him that Egypt is too far away. Instead, he says that he could give him some money to get back to his country. Santiago thought for awhile, and said: "I'll work for you. I need money to buy some sheep." (Coelho, 49)

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The force of nature is deeply portrayed in the story. Santiago’s destiny is connected with the natural world. The rise and fall of the sun, the wind, and the path to the Sahara desert guides the boy to certain locations and teach him lessons. “The boy felt jealous of the freedom of the wind and saw that he could have the same freedom.” (Coelho, 29) Further, Santiago takes good care of his sheep, as he believed that the sheep were able to understand what he said. (Coelho, 4)

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Coelho, Paulo. "The Alchemist." In Gateways to World Literature (Vol. 1),edited by David Damrosch,1-49. Boston: Pearson, 2012.

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On the journey, Santiago is guided by distinct signals or omens. The old man explains how omens are also a force that leads to a personal legend. “In order to find the treasure, you will have to follow the omens. God has prepared a path for everyone to follow. You just have to read the omens that he left for you.” (Coelho, 30) Butterflies, crickets, and four-leaf clovers are all considered good omens. The wisdom from his grandfather allows Santiago to realize their existence in the world. Further, the old man hands him Urim and Thummim, which symbolizes yes and no. He suggests using but not relying on them.

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“Premium Vector: Desert Oasis with Palms Nature Landscape Scene Illustration Egypt Hot Dunes with Palm Trees Bedouin and Camels.” Freepik, 11 June 2021, https://www.freepik.com/premium-vector/desert-oasis-with-palms-nature-landscape-scene-illustration-egypt-hot-dunes-with-palm-trees-bedouin-camels_15015169.htm.

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Volrab, Vaclav. “Clover Leaf and Butterflies Stock Image - Image of Butterfly, Botanical: 47239015.” Dreamstime, 8 Dec. 2014, https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-clover-leaf-butterflies-fresh-dewy-green-grass-image47239015.